GASTONIA, North Carolina – Two men and a woman were injured in a shooting at the Eastridge Mall on Friday afternoon, according to the head of the Gastonia Police Department. Two interested parties were also questioned.
Police said there was no active threat at the mall.
A spokesman for the department confirmed that officers were investigating a shooting at a shopping center on North New Hope Road in Gastonia after 12 noon on Friday.
Gaston’s emergency services told Channel 9 that three people had been shot and taken to hospital. GPD said all three are expected to recover from their injuries.
In an update shortly before 1:45 p.m., Gastonian Police Chief Travis Britain said they were receiving mixed information about whether the shooting took place in the mall’s dining hall or outside the mall.
UPDATE: GPD continues to work to clear the mall. Family members of shoppers / employees who come to the mall to look for loved ones are asked to go to the Luck Samurai car park at 116 N New Hope Rd
– Gastonia Police (@GPDNC) June 10, 2022
According to police, at least one suspect was seen fleeing the mall toward a nearby forest.
Chief Brittin said witnesses were being questioned and there were two interesting people at the station who had been questioned. He added that at the moment it is too early to determine the motive for the shooting, but did not rule out anything.
NEWS CONFERENCE: Gastonia police chief shares information about Eastridge Mall shooting
Police said investigators went from store to store helping people inside to get out of the mall. They directed family members of shoppers and employees who came to the mall to look for their loved ones to go to the Luck Samurai car park on 116 North New Hope Road.
Gastonian police said the mall was locked and would provide additional updates to its Twitter page: @GPDNC.
Shooting at the Eastridge Mall
The North Carolina Motor Vehicle Registration Agency at Eastridge Mall has been temporarily closed, according to a tweet from the agency.
Channel 9 has many crews on stage and will share updates when we receive them.
This is an evolving story. Check wsoctv.com for updates.
(SEE BELOW: K-9 Weapon Detection Starts New Work Patrolling Carolina Place Mall)
K-9 Weapons Detection begins new work by patrolling the Carolina Place Mall
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